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So I should be working on the handout for the genealogy class I am teaching on Tuesday, but I was distracted by the website for requesting SSA-711 Internet Requests for deceased Individuals Social Security Application. You can order onilne at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps9/eFOIA-FEWeb/internet/main.jsp, it took less than fifteen minutes to order four records. I ordered records for Frank Urman, Ora Poundstone, Otis Clark, and William Skibbe. Now I wonder just how long it takes for them to process the requests made on line.

Technically I was just looking for websites to share with my class when I started doing requests. I guess better stay off the internet and immerse my self in my word processing program and just get it done so I can play so more. I am already thinking of other relatives that I could order requests for. Save me from myself...

I had a surprise when researching on Findagrave.com, a death certificate that I posted on my blog and on Ancestry was posted to the grave of my Great Grandfather. I don't mind the image being there, I do mind that some guy by the name of Max Turpin that did not credit the source to anything but himself. The image, unaltered from my scan of the original, including the state of Illinois processing date is shown on Findagrave. Now I have posted the picture on my blog (this one) and on Ancestry.com both places that clearly show my name. I would have even uploaded the picture to Findagrave, that is not the issue. The issue is taking someone's image and saying that it is yours! When people are so blatant about taking credit for someone thing that they did not procure - what exactly does that say about their own research. Other postings by Mr. Turpin regarding my family include census records and marriage records that are not cited. Perhaps he found this information on Ancest…

Well I finally ordered Frank Urman's naturalization file today. The whole process was painless and quick. I just typed in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services web address - www.uscis.gov, searched for genealogy requests, hit the button on the right that said online request and after filling out a few answers my request was made. Luckily I have Frank's original naturalization certificate so that I did not need to spend extra money on a search request. The cost of the file was $20, not a bad amount for the information possibilities the file may contain. The whole process took less than 10 minutes. The government does appear to be back logged with requests - currently they are working on requests from December but I can wait.

Here is hoping that in a few months I can further my research of Frank. Frank officially changed his name from Frank Yurmanovich to Urman during the citizenship process.

I am trying to plan a quick trip to Cass County Indiana while visiting Illinois for our family reunion. Problem is I don't know when it is! I also need to hook up with some cousins and do a little courthouse stomping in Illinois. All of that and try to keep expenses down! Let's hope the family firms some plans up soon - I also hear that one of my cousins children is getting married soon and another cousin's child is getting married in June. Kinda feel out of the loop here in Arizona (or maybe I just annoy my cousins too much for an invite to the weddings!) I know I will need at least a day in Cass County to do some Poundstone research. I would like to have a few days to visit Cousin Zena and her folks and do some research and then there is the Clark/Damery family - I certainly need a few days to catch up with them and do a little digging around. Here is what I wish to accomplish for my Poundstone line-

Lloyd Clark, row 2, first person on left side. The following names are signed individually on the back of the photo: Carrol D. Covington, Leroy Durand, John [unreadable], Carole Sue Williams, Anne Pucket?, Richard Stahr, Joe DeMichael, Donnie Blakeman, and Stub E. Coffey

How awesome is it to get to attend a genealogy class sitting at home. I have attended approximately ten webinars so far and I just love the convenience. If you are looking for a chance to learn a few new tricks I would subscribe to GeneaWebinars at http://blog.geneawebinars.com. This blogspot is put together by Myrt, DearMYRTLE (otherwise known as Pat Richley). Now I am sure that the blog's webinar listings do not include everything available in the world - Myrt certainly has round up a huge plethora of offerings. She lists upcoming webinars and archived webinars that are still available for viewing.

I like to keep an eye on Legacy and RootsMagic's webinars. Legacy has some wonderful speakers including Thomas MacEntee (he's the man), Dear Mrytle, Janet Hovorka, Leland Meitzler, and of course Geoff Rasmussen. RootsMagic offers a vast array of how to use their software webinars. There are many other organizations and companies that have offerings including Ancestr…

I am the proud owner of several editions of the North Judson News (Indiana) thanks to an E-Bay auction. North Judson is the largest town near Wayne Township in Starke County where my great grandparents, Wilhelm and Julia Skibbe, settled near after becoming citizens of the United States. Prior to moving to Wayne Township the Skibbe's resided in Chicago from about 1887 to 1899. Wilhelm lived in Laurenburg Germany now LeBork, Poland prior to coming to the United States. The family lore states Julia was living in Berlin prior to her marriage to Wilhelm.

There is one newspaper edition from 1897, one from 1898, six from 1908 and one from 1921. Researching archival solutions for the papers I learned just how highly acidic newspapers are. The acidity in the paper is what turns the paper darker and brittle. Newspaper clippings can be de-acidified with the use of Bookkeeper Deacidification Spray. The spray neutralizes the paper to buffer it from future destructive acids. The crease…

Pearl Belle Hale Birch Clark was Grandpa Clark's 3rd wife. She is buried with her first husband Chauncey R. Birch at the Harshbarger Cemetery (also known as Lake Fork Cemetery) in Atwood, Piatt County, Illinois. I find it interesting that she is buried with her first husband with no mention of her remarried name of Clark. Grandpa's name is listed as Odes Elmer Clark on her death certificate shown below. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis at age 22. Their marriage date has not yet been located. Grandpa Clark was living with his 2nd wife's family in January of 1920 (the Butts), Viola Gladys Butts Clark died in February of 1920 and Pearl died in May of 1924 - so sometime between Viola's death and Pearl's death they were married. I will need to search the Piatt County Courthouse marriage records the next time I get to Illinois.

Amy Urman is a genealogical researcher, lecturer and private investigator. This blog is used to share pictures, memories, stories, recipes and anything family or genealogy related. She is the co-founder of the Pima County Genealogy Society - and society blogger at pimacountygenealogysociety.blogspot.com.